§ Mr. SINKINSONasked the President of the Board of Trade the total amount of money owing by local authorities, city and borough; and what is the amount of interest paid annually?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI have been asked to reply. The total outstanding loan debt of town councils in England and Wales (including the councils of Metropolitan boroughs) on 31st March, 1928, was £589,000,000, towards the repayment of which £40,260,000 was standing to the credit of sinking funds. The amount of interest paid by town councils on their outstanding loan debt during the year ended 31st March, 1928, was £26,350,000.